Device for fragmenting ice



A. J. GIORDANQ DEVICE FOR FRAGMENTING ICE April 13, 1954 r 3 Sheets-Shqet 1 Filed July 26, 1950 ATTORNEY April 13, 1954 A. J. GIORDANO DEVICE FOR FRAGMENTING ICE Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY p l 1954 A. J. GIORDANO 2,674,861

DEVICE FOR FRAGMENTING ICE Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY I I I l INVENTOR 3.

Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES F F ELCE Anthony J. Giordano,

twenty-five percent lington, Va.

Arlington, Va., assignor of to Albert M. Zalkind, A-r- Applicati'onJuly- 26; 1950, Serial No. 176,005

' 16 Claims. (Cl. 62108.5)

This invention relates menting ice and more particularly to an ice tray having an actuatable grid comprising breaker elements for fragmenting a block of ice frozen in the tray.

It is an object of my invention to provide a combination ice tray and grid such that broken pieces of ice can be procured without the neces-- sity of performing the conventionalprocess of removing ice from a tray and subsequently pounding it into fragments with a mallet.

It is another object of my invention to. provide a construction having high durability and affording easy operation.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device essentially simple in nature and which can be readily mass produced.

In general, my invention comprises the pro vision of a plurality of groups of breaker elements within an ice tray adapted to be embedded in an ice block formed therein. These breaker elements may be in the form of spikes or bars or may even be perforations in plates. But whatever their form, the invention contemplates moving agroup of breaker elements with respect to another group of breaker elements, by either to devices for frag moving one of such groups while the other group remains stationary, or simultaneously moving both groups.

Thus, since the groups are below the ice surface they exert rupturing forces on the ice block in at least one and preferably avariety of direc to the end that the block will be well tions, shattered or fragmentated. While it is preferable that simultaneous motion is provided for the groups of breakerelements, I-have found that mere relative motion between two groups is surficient. For example, where one group is held stationary and the other group is moved, the

stationary group serves to take the reactive stress.

of the moving group so as to prevent motion of the ice block along therewith, while at the same time serving as points of fissure to aid in fragmenting the block.

Other objects and features of my invention will be apparent from the detailed description which now follows, taken in conjunction with the appended drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of my device,

Figure 2 is asection through'22 of Figure 1', Figure 3 is a sectionthrough 3-3 of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a planof another formofmyl device; Figure 5 is a section through 5-5 of Figure: 4', Figure'fi is a section through 6-6 ofFigure-5,

Figure 7 is a plan of a third'form of my invention,

Figure 8 is asection. 8-8 of Figure '7,

Figure. 9'is'a section through.99 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section through a fourth modification;

Figure 11 is a section l!l .|:ofv Figure 10; and

Figure 12. is a sectional view illustrative of a fifth form of my'invention.

Referring now to Figures 1-3, my device comprisesa freezer'tray it in which are a pair of grids l5 and 2t. Each of the grids consists of a central panel 23 and 27 respectively from which protrude a plurality of breaker elements 30, the panels being spaced from each other as shown. It is contemplated that the panels and their respective breaker elements will be integrally cast so as to form a very strong and rigid structure; The breaker elements are elongated spike-like members of generally t'apered'form'so as to be. readily-separable from icefragments.

The panelsare provided centrally with thickened portions or hubs 33 and 36 respectively, and intermediate the thickened. portions or hubs is disposed a screw tll having right-hand threaded engagement in the hub upper 33 and lefthand threaded engagement in the lower hub 33. Theupper end of the screw 40 is squared at 42 for engagement with a similarly shaped cutout in the end of a lever 45. The construction is such that the lever isperma-nently attached to screw 40 a horizontal plane. A handle element ills pivotally secured to lever 45 at 50, whence it can be swung'upwardly for aifording a firm grasp to rotate'the lever to the dotted position shown and also serves to increase the leverage eifect. Normally handle d'lhangsdownwardly, and terminates short of the bottom of the tray.

It will be noted that the breaker elements 3d are all below the expected ice surface whichis therein. Accordingly, if lever 45 be rotated in a horizontal plane; it will serve, to force the grids l5 and 20 towards each other thereby rupturing the ice in many fragments. Owing to the use of thescrew, anextremel'y' heavy force may be exerted.

In the particular modification just described relative motion could" be efie'cted by providingseparation movement of the'grids, depending on the direction of rotationo'f lever '35; Such=deviatiorrwould, of course, necessitateaslight initial which can berotatedby: swinging the lever in spacing between the base of panel 2! and the bottom of the tray so as to provide space for the grid 20 to move into. Such a space could easily be provided by resting the lower hub 35 on a soft rubber washer or other soft cushioning material which would yield. as grid 20 was 5. Each of the links carries a plurality of breaker elements 13, in this instance of triangular cross-section, and the upper joint, that is, the joint which pivots link 80 with link 63, has secured thereto by the rivet IS, a metal, ushaped anvil member 8'3. Thus, if the top surface of the anvil be struck with a hammer, relative motion between the four links will occur and their integral breaker elements 13 will be actuated in directions determined by the linkage, to thereby crack up the ice block. It is noted that the arrangement is such that all the breaker elements are embedded in the ice block as heretofore described in connection with the previous form of the device.

The triangular cross-section of the breaker element I3 provides cutting edges in a variety of directions so that as the links receive the shock impact from the anvil 83 a large number of fissures are instantaneously formed in the ice to readily expedite the complete cracking up into a large number of fragments.

It should, of course, be noted that this form of the invention is not limited to percussive action but could easily be adapted for a mechanical action of the screw type as heretofore described in connection with Figures l3 for causing relative motion of the linkage system.

The modification shown in Figures '7 through 9 comprises a plurality of grids 9t, 93, 9t, and I disposed in parallel spaced relation and standing vertically in the tray. Each grid con sists of a panel l8? carrying conically shaped breaker element IE3. The construction is such that the breaker elements of one panel are disposed in vertical alignment and staggered relation with the breaker elements of the adjoining panel as will be seen clearly from Figure 8, wherein the cross-hatching of the breaker elements indicates by similar slant the particular elements attached to respective panels. The panel are motivated by a cam shaft 5 65 carrying eccentrics Ifl'l which engage in perforations in the respective panels M2. The eccentrics are formed with flanges I89 to maintain them secured to their respective panels, and it is contemplated that the flanges will be formed by swaging in assembling the device. The shaft I05 is preferably cast integrally with the eccentric portions I01. A lever Iii) is keyed to shaft 65 for rotation thereof.

By referring to Figure 7 it will be noted that alternate eccentrics are disposed in opposite directions. Thus if lever Ill be raised, rotation of the eccentrics will compel motion of their respective panels I92 in such a direction that the alternately disposed panels will move in the same direction while the other two panels will move in the opposite direction. Simultaneously, a lifting effect will be experienced on grids 93 and H10.

In such manner the ice block will receive the thrusts of the breaker elements I95 in a variety of directions, and will consequently be well fragmerited.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 11 contemplates the use of a conventional grid, now commercially obtainable, which consists of a lower panel H5 and a plurality of smaller panels IIB superposed edge to edge on the lower panel. A series of transverse panels I22 are secured to the longitudinal panels by a slotted arrangement as shown, while a link and lever arrangement generally designated at I25 is utilized to successively actuate the smaller panels and their respective transverse panels for releasing cubes frozen between the transverse panels. As heretofore indicated, the construction thus described is well known and accordingly no further detailed description of the elements or actuation is deemed necessary here. However, the embodiment is shown for the purpose of illustrating how my invention can be incorporated therein by providing a series of transverse breaker elements I28 secured in, and carried by, the various panels of the conventional grid. The combination, including my breaker elements, has been found to effectively fragmentate the ice cubes upon operation of the lever, and an advantage of this particular form of my invention resides in the fact that no high stresses are experienced owing to the successive operation provided for the panels II8 as the lever is pulled, whereas in the prior forms of my invention a group of ice breaker elements are simultaneously actuated, thereby occasioning, of course, fairly heavy stresses in the mechanism.

Another form of my invention is illustrated in Figure 12 showing a. longitudinal view through a freezer tray wherein are utilized a pair of horizontal spaced plates I40 and I43 having a plurality of perforations I41 therein, which perforations may be aligned or staggered with respect to each other as between the plates. The plates are motivated by a cam arrangement similar to the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 through 9 wherein a pair of eccentrics I50 are secured to a shaft '13 so that rotation of the shaft will cause relative motion of the plates. Any suitable means of rotating the shaft may be utilized; for example, lever 45 of Figures 1 through 3 engaging the squared end of shaft I53. In the form of the invention just described the ice block freezes in and around the plates I40 and M3 and thus relative motion of the plates in their respective horizontal planes serves to provide a large number of severed fragments. If desired, the edges of the perforations may be beveled to form cutting edges and, further, a plurality of spike-like breaker elements similar to those heretofore described; for example, as shown in Figure 1, may be secured to the plates and extend therefrom in vertical directions.

It will be appreciated that many variations of my invention are possible; for example, spikes may be provided in various lengths and shapes and different forms of mechanisms may be devised for moving groups of spikes in predetermined directions. Further, a single moving grid such as shown in Figures 1, 5, '7 or 12 could be utilized. In such case the equivalent of another grid, to take the reactive stress, could be effected by securing suitable breaker elements, similar to the spikes described herein, to the walls of the tray.

Accordingly, do not seek to be limited to the a lever similar to the r specific illustrations'herein described except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a freezer tray, a pair of grid comprising breaker elements disposed in said tray below the expected ice surface, a screw engaging said grids and being rotatable for effecting relative motion of said grids.

2. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a freezer tray, a pair of grids disposed Within said tray below the expected ice surface, and means for effecting relative motion of said grids with respect to each other comprising a, screw element intermediate said grids, and a lever for turning said screw element.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lever is fastened at one end to said screw element and extends outwardly therefrom beyond an edge of said tray, including a handle element pivotally secured to the outer end of said lever.

4. A device for fragmenting ice, comprising a plurality of grids pivotally joined to each other, each of said grids carrying a plurality of breaker elements extending transversely of the plane of pivotal motion of said grid and means for moving said grids with respect to each other.

5. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a plurality of grids, each of said grids comprising a plurality of breaker elements and means for moving said grids with respect to each other when said breaker elements are substantially embedded in ice, wherein said means comprises a cam shaft passing through said grids and having eccentric elements engaging respective grids whereby rotation of said shaft i effective to move said grids in directions determined by the disposition of said eccentric portions.

6. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a plurality of grids disposed in spaced relation and comprising spike extending into the space between respective grids, and means for moving said grids with respect to each other.

7. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a freezer tray, a plurality of breaker elements in said tray, means for holding said elements in position completely below the edge of said tray, said means comprising a system of links joined together and movably related to each other, including means for applying force to said link system for actuation thereof to simultaneously move said elements in respective directions having opposed components so as to exert tensile forces within an ice block in said tray for fragmenting said block.

8. A device for fragmenting ice including an ice tray comprising a plurality of links forming a linkage system, each of said links carrying a plurality of breaker elements disposed so as to be embedded completely in an ice block substantially below the top of said tray and means for applying a motivating force to said linkage system for effecting relative motion of said breaker elements with respect to each other.

9. A device for fragmenting ice, comprising a freezer tray, a plurality of groups .of transversely extending rod-like elements disposed in said tray below the top edge thereof so as to be completely embedded ice and means for moving said elements with respect to each other for fragmenting said ice.

10. A device for fragmenting ice, comprising a freezer tray, 2. pair of grids in said tray, each grid carrying a set of breaker elements, means interconnecting said grids so as to move them with respect to each other wherein the sets of breaker elements are relatively movable with respect to each other to fragment ice insaid tray.

11. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a freezer tray, 2. pair of superposed grids in said tray, each of said grids comprising respective sets of breaker elements extending substantially into the ice-freezing space of said tray, and means for forcing said grids to move with respect to each other so as to provide motion of the respective breaker element sets with respect to each other for fragmenting ice in said tray.

12. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a plurality of breaker elements and means for holding said elements in the freezing space of an ice tray, wherein said elements are arranged in a plurality of horizontal planes, including means for moving said elements with respect to each other for fragmenting ice.

13. A device for fragmenting ice comprising a plurality of rod-like breaker elements, means for supporting said elements in the ice-freezing space of an ice tray, wherein said elements extend substantially into the ice-freezing space and means for moving said elements with respect to each other for fragmenting said ice.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said elements are disposed in different planes.

15. A device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for supporting said rod-like elements comprises a series of plates disposed so as to ex tend substantially across one dimension of an ice tray, said rod-like elements being secured to respective plates and extending from the sides thereof, the means for moving said elements comprising links engageable with respective plates and manually movable so as to engage said plates successively whereby respective elements are motivated successively.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said links carry additional rod-like elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

